Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 106
04/01/2011 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Superintendent, Bering Strait School District (bssd) | |
| HB38 | |
| SB1 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 38 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 1-BD OF ED./EARLY DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT
9:11:08 AM
CHAIR DICK announced that the final order of business would be
the CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 1(EDC), "An Act requiring the state
Board of Education and Early Development to provide an annual
report to the legislature."
9:11:27 AM
THOMAS OBERMEYER, Staff, Senator Bettye Davis, Alaska State
Legislature, introduced SB 1, paraphrasing from the sponsor
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
This bill requires that the Alaska State Board of
Education shall prepare and present to State
Legislature not later than the 30th day of each
regular session an annual report that describes the
efforts of the Board to develop, maintain, and
continuously improve a comprehensive quality public
education system as provided for under the bylaws of
the Board. The report to the Legislature must
include:
1. a summary of resolves and rationales provided in
support of policy decisions;
2. program and curriculum changes made, discussed, or
recommended in meetings; and
3. additional information relevant to efforts made to
improve and maintain the public education system.
This bill is intended to create a greater dialogue
among Alaska legislators, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), and the Board of Education
which meets at least quarterly. Since Alaska
legislators appropriate over $1 billion per year for
state public education, which is a significant portion
of the state budget, they must be at the center of the
state's efforts to identify strengths and weaknesses
of the current system, help determine a public agenda,
set clear goals for K-12 and higher education, and
hold institutions accountable for performance. The
only way to achieve this is through cooperation and
communication with the Board and the Department.
Legislators take great pride and tremendous amounts of
time and effort every session in trying to provide the
best possible education, scholarships, and funding for
Alaska students. The annual report required by this
bill will assist both DEED and legislators early in
each session in assessing new programs, curriculum
changes, goals and priorities which may require more
information or administrative and legislative action,
during session.
9:13:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON reflected that the Board of Education
had provided an annual report to the legislature, and asked if
there was a need for additional reporting.
MR. OBERMEYER replied that an oral report was often provided at
some point during the session, but that a written report would
furnish the information earlier in the legislative process.
9:15:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON pointed out that the proposed bill did not
specify a written report and he asked for a clarification to the
means of reporting.
SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, Alaska State Legislature, replied that a
written report would be expected. She shared that her reason
for the proposed bill was to meet with the Board earlier in the
session. She stated her desire for both a written report and an
annual verbal presentation, preferably in January. She allowed
that it was not necessary for the entire Board to come to meet
in January, but that, at the least, the chair should personally
attend.
9:19:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the report, as requested in the
proposed bill, would provide the necessary analysis. He asked
for an explanation to the zero fiscal note.
9:20:31 AM
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Education and Early Development (EED), explained
that the zero fiscal note reflected the use of existing staff to
collect the documentation for the issues addressed.
9:21:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the language in the proposed bill
made clear to EED the requirement for a written report as well
as a formal in-person presentation.
9:21:54 AM
MR. MORSE replied that, currently, EED understood that there
would be a written report, to be delivered in person. He
reported that EED understood this to be the intent of the
sponsor for the proposed bill.
9:22:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reported that a recommendation from the
Alaska Advisory Task Force on Higher Education & Career
Readiness (HECR) required a report to be issued on April 1,
though there was also a recommendation for much closer contact
between the Alaska State Legislature and the Alaska State Board
of Education & Early Development. He offered his belief that
the intent was to have a formal written report presented and
brought to the committee for discussion.
9:24:07 AM
CHAIR DICK closed public testimony.
9:24:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT moved to report CSSB 1(EDC), Version 27-
LS0001\B, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying zero fiscal note.
9:24:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected, and asked to verify the version
being passed.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON, upon corroboration, removed his
objection.
9:25:06 AM
There being no further objection, CSSB 1(EDC) was reported from
the House Education Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|